Ski attachment

ABSTRACT

A safety attachment for holding a boot onto a ski including a jaw portion which is subjected to the action of at least one releasable locking device allowing the jaw to open in a vertical and in a substantially horizontal plane. A first plate member is connected to the jaw and is displaceable laterally therewith; a second plate member is fixed in the longitudinal axis of the ski and cooperates with the first plate member to cause the return of the jaw in the said axis when the first plate is subjected to the action of a vertically actuatable element.

Q United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,781,029

Salomon Dec. 25, 1973 SKI ATTACHMENT 3,647,233 3/1972 Martin 280/l1.35 T

[7 6] Inventor: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon, 34

Avenue de Loverchy Annecy, Primary ExammerR0bert R. Song France Attorney-Roger Goudreau 71 [22] Filed Nov 26, 19 ABSTRACT [21] Appl 202l2l A safety attachment for holding a boot onto a ski including a jaw portion which is subjected to the action [30] Foreign Application Priority Data of at least one releasable locking device allowing the Dec. 3, 1970 France 7043513 j to Open in a vertical and in a Substantially horizontal plane. A first plate member is connected to the jaw 52 us. Cl. 2s0/11.3s T and is dlsplaceable laterally therewith; a second plate 51 Int. Cl. A63c 9/00 member is fixed in the longitudinal axis of the Ski and [58] Field of Search 280/1 1.35 T cooperates with the first Plate member to Cause the i return of the jaw in the said axis when the first plate is [56] Ref Ci d subjected to the action of a vertically actuatable ele- UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,649,037 3/1972 Vorthier 280/11.35 T 8 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEBZS m5 3.781.029

SHEET 1 OF 4 Inventor Georges, Pierre, Joseph SALOMON BYYD .l.

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Ill Elva 't Inventor Georges, Pierre, Joseph SALOMON Attorney 5", UENIEU HEP 2 51975 SHEET 3 OF 4 Inventor JOSEPH SALOMON GEORGES PIERRE Attorney PATENTEUUEBZS 197s SHEET 4 BF 4 Inventor (Qjh SALOMON Georges, Pirre, J

A Home y SK] ATTACHMENT The present invention relates to safety attachments intended to hold a boot on a ski. It relates more particularly to safety attachments which make it possible for the boot to be released both in the plane of the ski and in a plane perpendicular thereto, this release occurring whenever stresses higher than a predetermined adjustment value are applied to the attachment in the said planes.

To this end, attachments of this kind may comprise on the one hand, a lateral release adapted to move laterally under the action of a force applied in the plane of the ski, in order to release the boot as a forward stop would do and, on the other hand, an at least vertical release adapted to pivot under the effect of a stress having a vertical component in order to release the boot as a heel-piece would do. These two release elements cooperate with a jaw engaging with the ski boot which transmits the said forces to the said elements, thus causing them to release the boot. In the position in which the boot is held to the ski by the attachment, these two elements are locked by at least one resilient locking element calibrated to the predetermined adjustment value mentioned above. In that they provide for release in several directions, attachments of this kind are an improvement over previous types of attachment having a lateral or a vertical release.

However, the combining of formerly independent characteristics into a single mechanism presents problems. Attachments of this kind are complex structures, difficult to manufacture and relatively expensive. These disadvantages may be overcome by simplifying the structure of such attachments. In order to achieve this simplification, it is necessary to choose between the functional characteristics of the attachment. Such a choice must of course avoid any deterioration in the safety features which are of the highest importance. On the other hand, without reducing safety and without affecting the essential functional characteristics of these attachments, certain features, which, although interesting, may be considered as being of secondary importance, may be eliminated. For instance, safety attachments of the type mentioned are known in which the automatic return of the jaw, to an axial position on the ski after a lateral safety release, i.e., with no intervention by the skier, has been eliminated. If this known multi-directional-release attachment is of the step-in type, i.e., the type in which the jaw is integral with a pedal for putting the ski on again, whereby vertical pressure applied by the sole of the boot makes it possible to close the jaw on to the boot again, it is generally necessary to open the said jaw vertically, after a purely lateral release, in order to put the ski on again. This opening of the jaw has to be carried out by the skier by operating an element in the attachment, the said element generally being a lever which is pressed down or is pulled by means of the safety thong. Now since in this attachment there is no automatic return of the jaw to its axial position after a purely lateral release, in addition to operating the element which opens the jaw vertically, the said jaw also has to be returned to the axis of the ski which can be accomplished only manually. This operation, which is absolutely necessary in order to avoid incorrect fitting of the boot, is unpleasant to the user and may also be difficult to carry out, especially if the skier is awkwardly situated, for instance, on a steep slope or in deep snow.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage without substantially increasing the complexity or the cost of an attachment having no independent automatic return mechanism for restoring the jaw to its axial position.

To this end, the invention proposes to make use of the movement which opens the jaw vertically to return it simultaneously to its axial position. In other words, the attachment according to. the invention, although not equipped with an automatic axial return device for the jaw, behaves just like an attachment having such a device. The attachment according to the present invention therefore combines the advantages of attachments which have automatic jaw-return devices and attachments of simplified construction in which the essential safety function is fully assured.

A safety attachment according to the present invention comprises a jaw subjected to the action of at least one releasable locking device allowing the jaw to open in a vertical and a substantially horizontal plane, together with an element adapted to be actuated at least vertically and which neutralizes the said locking device. This attachment further includes a first profile integral with the jaw and adapted to move laterally therewith. the said first profile cooperating with a second profile integral with a part of the attachment remaining in the longitudinal axis of the ski; at least one of these two profiles is subjected to the action of the actuating element, in such a manner that displacement of this profile, and the cooperation thereof'with the other profile, causes the jaw to return to the longitudinal axis of the ski.

At least one of the two profiles preferably comprises two symmetrical converging surfaces, between which the other profile extends at least in part. Furthermore, the said actuating element is adapted to pivot about at least one horizontal axis, in order to move vertically under the action of a force applied to the said element in a vertical plane.

The invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the following description and schematic drawings giving, by way of examples, preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a section view, along the longitudinal axis of the ski, of a first form of the attachment according to the invention;

FIGS. la, 11;, 1c are rear views of the attachment in FIG. I, seen in the direction of arrow A and showing the said attachment in three positions;

FIG. 2 is a section view, along the longitudinal axis of the ski, of a second form of the attachment according to the invention;

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c are cross-sections taken along the line B--B in FIG. 2, showing the attachment in three positions;

FIG. 3 is a section view, along the longitudinal axis of the ski, of a third form of the attachment according to the invention;

FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c are cross-sections taken along the line C-C in FIG. 3, showing three positions of the attachment;

FIG. 4 is a section view, along the longitudinal axis of the ski, of a fourth form of the attachment according to the invention;

FIG. 4a is an enlarged fragmentary view of part of the view shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the detail shown in FIG. 4a; and

FIG. 40 shows the operation of the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

In the appending drawings, and in the following description, it will be assumed that the device according to the invention is adapted to certain types of safety attachment; it will be understood, however, that it could also be used for attachments of a different type and of a varied structure. For example, although the attachments shown comprise two distinct locking systems, as will be seen hereinafter, it is to be understood that they might also have only one such system.

In the drawings, similar elements bear the same reference numerals.

The attachment according to FIGS. 1, 1a, lb, 1c comprises a base 1 fastened to a ski 2, for instance, by means of screws (not shown). Base 1 is shaped substantially in the form of a U, between the arms of which an attachment element 4 pivots about a horizontal axis 3, the said attachment element being adapted to rock vertically about axis 3. Element 4 comprises a vertical pivot 5 carrying a plate 6 resting on element 4 and capable of sliding laterally thereon about pivot 5. On one end extending beyond base 1, plate 6 carries a conventional jaw of the general type shown at7, the said jaw being integral with a lower pedal 8 which supports the sole of ski boot 9 with which jaw 7 engages in the locked position. A spring loaded ball locking device 10 keeps the attachment element in the locked position, the spring being calibrated, by means of adjusting screw, to a predetermined value above which the attachment element can unlock itself. In the same way, a second spring loaded ball locking device 11 keeps plate 6, and therefore jaw 7, locked along the axis of the ski, the spring being compressed toa predetermined tension by means of an adjusting screw.

The end of plate 6 remote from jaw 7 extends in the form of a cylindrical rod 12, passing between the arms of a vertical part 13 integral with ski 2; it may be attached to base 1, for example. This part 13 has a V- shaped profile, the two symmetrical surfaces 14 of which converge towards the ski and meet in the longitudinal axial plane thereof.

The attachment operates as follows:

Let it be assumed first of all that, as a result of a purely lateral release, i.e., the case in which boot 9 applies to jaw 7, solely in the plane of the ski, a stress higher than the calibration of the spring in device 11, plate 6 rotates about pivot 5 and rod 12 moves, for example, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1a and comes to a stop against the right-hand surface of the V. The boot having escaped from the jaw, in order to be able to put the ski on again, the skier must open jaw 7 vertically. He therefore presses, with his ski pole, for example, the end of rod 12 in the direction of the vertical arrow shown in FIGS. 1 and 1b. Locking device 10 then releases the attachment element which pivots about axis 3. Rod 12 moves down and is guided by the inclined surface of the profile, until it comes to rest in the apex of the V. The jaw is now open and has been brought back into the axis of the ski by the movement of plate 6 around pivot 5. Device 11 then locks the jaw in the axial position, and the skier may reattach his ski in the correct position.

Now if the load applied by the boot to the jaw comprises a lateral and a vertical component, the two lock ing devices 10 and 11, or the single device by which these may be replaced, become unlocked and, by the time the jaw has finished opening, the attachment will be in the position shown in FIG. 1c, i.e., the jaw will again be locked in the axial position.

In FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c attachment element 4 is of a structure different from-that in the preceding example. It comprises as a known locking device, a piston 15 spring-loaded towards a slope l6, spring 17 being loaded by means of a mobile plate 19 and an adjusting screw 20. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the locking device is locked. The device is unlocked by compressing spring 17 by means of release lever 21 mounted in the attachment element to rotate about horizontal axis 3. Lever 21 is held in the raised position shown in FIG. 2 by a return spring 22 anchored to axis 3 and bearing against the foot of lever 21. The connection between lever 21 and 15 is by means of a linkage consisting of pushpull rods 23, 24. One end of rod 3 is attached to lever 21, the other end to one end of rod 24, the other end of which is attached to piston 15. Joint 18 between the two push-pull rods cooperates, by means of a roller (not shown) with which it may be equipped, with a guide ramp 18 integral with base 1 and having the profile shown. It will be understood that lowering lever 21 in the direction of arrow 25 pushes joint 18 towards the rear; this causes push-rod 24 to move piston 15 backwards, thus compressing spring 17 and allowing the attachment element to pivot about axis 3. When lever 21 returns to the position shown in FIG. 2, under the action of spring 17, linkage 23-24 returns to the position shown. Since this device is not essential to an understanding of the invention, it will not be described in detail, in order to avoid complicating this description.

The attachment element comprises, as in the previous example, a vertical pivot 5 about which jawcarrying plate 6 rotates, and a lateral locking device 11 resembling that in FIG. 1. In this example, however, it is the end of plate 6 remote from the jaw that carries a vertical extension 26 containing a triangular opening 27, through which release lever 21 passes.

If the attachment executes a purely lateral safety release, plate 6 pivots with extension 26, for example, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2a, lever 21 remaining stationary. At the end of the lateral travel of the jaw, lever 21 and triangular opening 27 are in the relative positions shown in FIG. 2b. Since in order to replace the ski, the skier must open jaw 7 vertically, he presses release lever 21 in the direction of arrow 25; this actuates linkage 23-24 and compresses spring 17, as already indicated. The attachment element may then rotate about axis 3, and the jaw opens vertically. In the meanwhile, slope 28 of opening 27 in extension 26 is pushed back by the movement of lever 21 and plate 6, and jaw 7 is therefore returned to the axis of the ski. As soon as the jaw has opened vertically, the pressure on lever 21 is removed and the said lever returns to the position shown in FIG. 2c, under the action of its spring 22. The ski may then be replaced at will.

The attachment shown in FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, 3c is substantially the same as that in FIG. 2, except that plate 6 carries, on the same side as the jaw in relation to vertical pivot 5, a rod 30 which may be L-shaped for example, whereas release lever 21 comprises an extension 32 towards jaw 7 terminating in a vertical tongue 33 having a V-notch 34. Horizontal branch 30 of rod 30 rests in V-notch 34.

The operation of this attachment is identical with that of the attachment in FIG. 2, spring 22 bringing tongue 33 and lever 21 into the position of rest shown in FIG. 3 as soon as no further pressure is applied in the direction of arrow 25 and regardless of the angular position of the attachment element in relation to base 1, i.e., either in the locked attachment position shown in FIG. 3, or in the open attachment position.

The general appearance of the attachment illustrated in FIG. 4 is identical with that of the attachments in FIGS. 2 and 3. One difference, however, is the fact that the locking device is released by direct actuation of piston 15. To this end, the latter comprises a ramp 41 cooperating with a pin 42 integral with a release lever 43 pivoting on horizontal axis 3. The free end of the release lever is attached to the safety strap of the ski. It will be seen that pulling upon this strap in the direction of arrow 45 causes pin 42 to rotate about axis 3 and piston to move back against the action of spring 17. Since the piston is no longer pressed against ramp 16, the attachment element may rock about its axis 3, and jaw 7 may open vertically. When pull is no longer applied to strap 44 and the jaw is open, the release lever returns to the position shown in FIG. 4 (in relation to the attachment element).

Release lever 43 also has a cam 46; the said cam partly surrounds axis 3 and cooperates with an opening 47 in jaw-carrying plate 6.

In plan view, cam 46 is ofthe general shape ofa piece of tube cut trapezoidally, so that its bases form parts of generatrixes, its lateral flanks 46a, 46b converging, in the example shown, towards pivot 5. The angle between flanks 46a, 46b of the cam is larger than that formed by sides 47a, 47b of opening 47. Moreover, the distance between sides 47a, 47b is greater than the distance between flanks 46a, 46b; the cam is therefore always located in opening 47. It will also be seen that the sides of opening 47 are machined laterally to provide guide surface 470 in the thickness of plate 6.

As may be seen in FIG. 4a more particularly, the height of cam 46 is such that it always extends at least partly into opening 47.

' If a purely lateral stress is applied to jaw 7, plate 6 rotates about pivot 5 after locking device 11 has been released. When the plate has pivoted as far as it can, boot 9 is released from the jaw. In this case, flank 47a of opening 47 comes up against flank 46a of the cam (the position shown in dashes). In order to replace the ski, the skier must open the jaw vertically, which he does by pulling strap 44 in the direction of arrow 45. Release lever 43 rotates about axis 3 releasing locking device 15-17. Cam 46 turns simultaneously in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 40, pushing back flank 47a of opening 47 until it returns to the position shown in full lines. When the release lever reaches the end ofits travel, the cam is in the position shown in the dotted line in FIG. 4a. Plate 6 is again locked by device 11, and the jaw is along the axis of the ski and is open vertically. When the skier steps in, it is impossible to close the jaw across the sole.

This present invention is not restricted to the examples illustrated and described herein; on the contrary,

it covers all additions and modifications within the ability of one skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the surfaces of the V-profiles in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 could be machined like those of opening 47 in FIG. 4, to provide guide surfaces for the matching profile.

What I claim is:

1. A safety attachment for holding a boot onto a ski comprising: a base fixed on said ski; a pivotable element mounted on said ski around a horizontal axis of said base and pivotable on said axis; a first releasable locking means interposed between said base and said pivotable element for locking said pivotable element in a predetermined position, said pivotable element having a vertical pivot pin; a jaw member pivotably mounted on said vertical pivot pin; a second releasable locking means interposed between said pivotable element and said jaw member for locking said jaw member relative to said pivotable element in a second predetermined position; a first guiding profile carried by said jaw member; a second guiding profile carried by said base; said first and second profiles cooperating with one another; and an actuatable member rigid with one of said guiding profiles, said actuatable member being at least vertically displaceable for neutralizing the action of the first locking means and placing said profiles in cooperation for maintaining or reinstalling said jaw member in said predetermined locked positions.

2. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said second guiding profile has two converging symmetrical surfaces enclosing a free space therebetween.

3. An attachment according to claim 2, wherein said first guiding profile extends at least partly between the two converging symmetrical surfaces of said second profile.

4. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said actuatable element pivots about at least one horizontal axis in order to move vertically under the influence of a force acting vertically thereon.

5. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said base is permanently fastened to the ski and pivotally receives therein said actuatable element; said first guiding profile consisting of a rod running substantially parallel to the plane of the ski; and said second guiding profile including a V-shaped member arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the ski.

6. An attachment according to claim 5, wherein the two arms of the V-profile converge towards the ski.

7. An attachment according to claim 5, wherein the rod is an extension of the jaw, opposite said jaw with respect to the vertical axis of rotation.

8. An attachment according to claim 7, wherein said rod is vertically actuatable. 

1. A safety attachment for holding a boot onto a ski comprising: a base fixed on said ski; a pivotable element mounted on said ski around a horizontal axis of said base and pivotable on said axis; a first releasable locking means interposed between said base and said pivotable element for locking said pivotable element in a predetermined position, said pivotable element having a vertical pivot pin; a jaw member pivotably mounted on said vertical pivot pin; a second releasable locking means interposed between said pivotable element and said jaw member for locking said jaw member relative to said pivotable element in a second predetermined position; a first guiding profile carried by said jaw member; a second guiding profile carried by said base; said first and second profiles cooperating with one another; and an actuatable member rigid with one of said guiding profiles, said actuatable member being at least vertically displaceable for neutralizing the action of the first locking means and placing said profiles in cooperation for maintaining or reinstalling said jaw member in said predetermined locked positions.
 2. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said second guiding profile has two converging symmetrical surfaces enclosing a free space therebetween.
 3. An attachment accoRding to claim 2, wherein said first guiding profile extends at least partly between the two converging symmetrical surfaces of said second profile.
 4. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said actuatable element pivots about at least one horizontal axis in order to move vertically under the influence of a force acting vertically thereon.
 5. An attachment according to claim 15, wherein said base is permanently fastened to the ski and pivotally receives therein said actuatable element; said first guiding profile consisting of a rod running substantially parallel to the plane of the ski; and said second guiding profile including a V-shaped member arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the ski.
 6. An attachment according to claim 5, wherein the two arms of the V-profile converge towards the ski.
 7. An attachment according to claim 5, wherein the rod is an extension of the jaw, opposite said jaw with respect to the vertical axis of rotation.
 8. An attachment according to claim 7, wherein said rod is vertically actuatable. 